Areas of law practice: choosing your legal specialism

Looking for the secret to a successful legal career? Find your ideal area of law to specialise in. From criminal to probate, intellectual property to banking and finance, there are many different types of lawyers. Each practice area has its own laws and regulations, and specialising means keeping up with a shifting legal landscape.

As a lawyer specialising in an area of law, you will be able to find your niche and make your mark on the legal space. So how do you pick a legal practice area? 

Start by understanding what suits you. Reflect on your values, personality, and skills, and think about your career goals. Then, use this blog as a guide to help you gain an understanding of the different sectors of law open to you.

We’ll also answer frequently asked questions such as how you can specialise in an area of law, and whether you can change your legal specialism during your career.

What are the different law specialisms?

Criminal law

Acts that break the law and are deemed to be serious enough to warrant a trial in either the Magistrates Court or Crown Court are handled by criminal lawyers. These include traffic violations, possession of controlled drugs, fraud, assault, grievous bodily harm (GBH), murder and more.

If you become a criminal lawyer you’ll have the choice of either working in private or public practice. Private criminal lawyers defend those being tried for an offence. Public criminal lawyers work for either the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) or the Public Defender Service (PDS).

Criminal lawyers have a variety of duties, including speaking to witnesses, gathering evidence, liaising with law enforcement, building a case, and presenting the case in a legal setting. You’ll need to demonstrate strong attention to detail, organisation and planning skills, in addition to being resilient and determined.

Constitutional law

Constitutional law encompasses the rules and structures that underpin a political system. 

Constitutional law works to protect the rights of individuals through legislation and is sometimes derived from non-national sources – the European Union (EU), for instance.

This area of law has become increasingly prevalent because of the emphasis placed on supranational institutions such as the EU.

Having good judgement, being a strong communicator, and having an in-depth knowledge of constitutional law are all essential qualities of a successful constitutional lawyer.

Commercial law

Commercial lawyers provide legal advice and guidance to, and within, corporate organisations. The duties of a commercial lawyer can include the drawing of legal contracts, including legal disclaimers and risk mitigation, and protecting clients against corporate liability.

Although commercial law is considered a specialism, it’s not uncommon for commercial law to overlap with other legal disciplines, such as intellectual property (IP) law.

Having strong commercial awareness and the ability to easily identify the important issues within a swath of information are traditionally well-suited skills for a career in commercial law.

Get ahead of the competition with our commercial awareness guide.

Corporate law

Also known as business, enterprise or company law, corporate law governs the formation and conduct of companies, including business restructuring, shareholder rights, mergers, and acquisitions.

Corporate lawyers are responsible for articles of association, directors' and shareholders' rights, and the incorporation, public listing or delisting of companies. Corporate lawyers also perform due diligence and often need an understanding of regulations in different territories to facilitate cross-border deals.

This area of law requires lawyers to work well under pressure and within strict time constraints while being comfortable dealing with a wide range of stakeholders.

Taxation law

There are a variety of taxes that UK citizens are liable to pay, from income to property tax, capital gains to value added tax, and even non-profit and inheritance taxes. 

Taxation lawyers often work closely with commercial and corporate lawyers to advise on the tax implications of mergers, acquisitions, commercial restructuring, and all aspects of finance, including funds, equity, and debt. Lawyers practising in this area will work with a variety of clients, including individuals (personal tax), companies (corporate tax), and even the government.

To thrive in this career, you’ll need to have good analytical skills, be able to work to a high standard and be a strong communicator and negotiator.

Restructuring and insolvency law

Lawyers practising restructuring and insolvency law act on behalf of individuals or companies in financial difficulties. This often involves providing legal assistance to creditors or debtors and helping recover debt from an individual or organisation.

Restructuring and insolvency law also includes the provision of advice for organisations looking to manage their debts or consider the next available steps to ensure the short-term viability of a business venture.

This specialism requires a technical approach, to be comfortable understanding the various aspects of insolvency, as well as having good negotiation skills.

Equity and trusts law

The equity and trusts areas of law practice focus on regulating circumstances that involve an individual placing their trust in another to manage their affairs.

Most lawyers who manage the legal aspects of equity law also handle trust law. This specialism typically involves ensuring charities are spending funds appropriately and resolving conflicts between beneficiaries.

Equity and trusts lawyers must be clear communicators and have good diplomacy skills, in addition to being able to handle sensitive situations professionally.

Banking and finance law

Banking and finance encompass different specialisms which broadly deal with the relationship between lenders and borrowers and the management of financial liabilities. This includes cross-jurisdiction arrangements that cover financing for corporate buyouts, leasing, or large-scale borrowing.

Lawyers working in banking and finance law will generally specialise in an area such as real estate finance, project finance, or acquisition finance.

To specialise in this area of law, you’ll need to be skilled at negotiating and be able to analyse the particulars of a deal and how it affects the parties. A strong regulatory focus is also required to ensure compliance with regional laws.

Private client law

In private client law, legal representatives are tasked with managing the affairs of individuals and families. This includes planning all aspects of their finances, such as wills, trusts, investments, estates, and taxation.

Private client lawyers often work for high-net-worth individuals, such as entrepreneurs or landowners with a portfolio of assets.

This area of law practice requires excellent interpersonal and people management skills. You’ll also need a comprehensive knowledge of this vast area of law (especially taxation) and sound commercial awareness.

Personal injury and criminal negligence law

Personal injury and criminal negligence law is the legal process of helping clients to receive financial compensation for having suffered accidents in public or in the workplace or injuries caused by medical negligence or malpractice.

This can include personal injuries resulting from road traffic accidents, such as whiplash, accidents on building sites where another party was directly at fault, or slips, trips and falls in public places.

For a career at a law practice specialising in personal injury and criminal negligence, you’ll need to possess the attributes of meticulous research and evidence-gathering skills, confidence and strong communication skills when speaking to witnesses or claimants.

Tort law

Tort law deals with civil cases between two parties, when one party commits an intentional or accidental wrong against another that causes harm or loss. This area of law exists to help individuals claim damages against the perpetrator of a wrong and encompasses an expansive range of legal issues. These include duty of care, negligence, nuisance, and damages.

Tort law, an aspect of civil law aims to return victims to the position they were in prior to the wrong being committed against them. Tort law also exists to ensure that victims do not suffer an unnecessary loss.

To specialise in tort law, you should have excellent interpersonal and judgement skills, as well as being a confident mediator.

Probate law

Probate is the judicial process which proves the legal wishes of a deceased party. Probate also covers the laws of intestacy which outline the beneficiaries of a will if an estate is left without a will or binding declaration.

Probate lawyers help beneficiaries settle debts and distribute the deceased’s assets, property, finances, and possessions in accordance with their last requests.

To practise probate law, you’ll need excellent organisation and interpersonal skills, as well as being able to work with tact and diplomacy.

Land law

Land law relates to the legal rights of land. The practice of land law involves resolving disputes over land matters, such as rights of way and boundary issues. Cases may involve landowners, private individuals, or the State.

Land lawyers must have good drafting and negotiating skills and be able to work both as a part of a team and on their own initiative.

Construction law

Construction law has two areas: contentious and non-contentious. Non-contentious legal work involves negotiating contracts and general procurement prior to any project being initiated. If a dispute arises between two or more parties that requires legal intervention, this is classed as contentious legal work.

Construction law is prevalent throughout an entire construction project, with client liaison and site visits required to ensure that a project is proceeding in accordance with legal guidelines. Should any disputes arise, construction lawyers are tasked with gathering evidence and advising clients on the correct course of action.

To work in construction law, you’ll need excellent analytical skills and attention to detail, in addition to possessing strong knowledge of contract and tort law.

Environmental law

Environmental law is the principles, policies, directives, and regulations enacted and enforced by local, national, or international entities to regulate how we treat the natural world. The Environmental Act, which first came into force in 2021, acts as the UK’s new framework of environmental protection and sets out the legal guidelines for protecting nature, water quality, and other protections.

This legal practice area requires lawyers to have strong analytical skills, an understanding of commercial risk, and a confident grasp of different areas of law, policy, and guidance. You’ll also need to be able to adapt to a shifting legal landscape.

Insurance law

Although insurance can be split into many sub-specialist areas of law practice, such as personal injury, public and employers’ liability, and accident at work claims, insurance law often focuses on the destruction of assets and insurance against professional mistakes and malpractice.

Insurance lawyers must be fastidious, with excellent organisational skills.

Media law

This area of legal practice involves the provision of legal services surrounding what can be published or broadcast. This includes print and digital media, public and commercial broadcasting, music, publishing, advertising, gaming and other relevant areas.

Lawyers practising media law deal with a wide range of legal issues, including copyright disputes, defamation, and matters regarding privacy.

Having a keen interest and understanding of the industry is important for practising in this legal area.

Employment law

Employment law governs what employers can ask of employees and what employees' rights at work are. This includes employment terms and conditions, health and safety, discrimination, discipline, dismissal, employment tribunals and redundancy.

To work in employment law, you’ll need strong negotiation skills. You’ll also need to be adaptive, proactive, and have the ability to work to a high level of accuracy.

Contract law

English contract law regulates all legally binding agreements in England and Wales. A contract involves an agreement between parties where one party agrees to fulfil an obligation to another party for consideration. A basic binding contract has four elements: offer, acceptance, consideration, and intent to create legal relations.

To become a contract lawyer, you’ll need to be able to work to meticulous detail, have a knack for spotting discrepancies and be capable of shrewd negotiation, should the opportunity present itself.

Intellectual property law

Intellectual property (IP) lawyers protect a client’s rights to intellectual creations such as inventions, designs, brands, artwork, and music. They tend to specialise in either contentious or non-contentious IP.

Contentious IP is when a client’s property rights have been infringed or abused in any way. For example, when counterfeit products are sold or music is illegally downloaded and shared on a mass scale. Non-contentious IP involves registering and checking a client’s rights, for example through the use of patents and trademarks.

IP lawyers must be able to build a good rapport with a wide range of people, demonstrate commercial awareness, and have analytical and advocacy skills.

Family law

Practising family law involves dealing with disputes and aspects of care that mainly relate to marriages, children, and neglect. This area of law practice may require liaising with local authorities including the police, social workers, and healthcare professionals.

The skills that you’ll need to practise family law include empathy, level-headedness, exemplary communication skills, and professionalism.

Human rights law

Human rights law largely handles cases related to the Human Rights Act. This covers the rights and liberties that people, and groups of people, are entitled to. It could also involve issues relating to how governments or regimes apply enforcement measures.

Human rights lawyers need strong resilience and be a person of influence, being capable of eloquently presenting cases to the UK Supreme Court or the European Court of Human Rights.

Litigation

Litigation (or dispute resolution) is the process of bringing a case to court. It can be lengthy or brief, depending on the complexity of the case and can involve a range of disputes.

Civil litigation ranges from commercial property disputes and nuisance claims to landlord and tenant disagreements or any breach of contract. Criminal litigation ranges from embezzlement and money laundering offences to obstruction of justice and assault.

Litigators must be able to work efficiently under pressure, be able to manage often-difficult clients and be able to think outside the box.

Alternative dispute resolution

Put simply, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is the process of resolving disputes between consumers and traders outside of a court setting.

Common forms of ADR are mediation where an independent third party is brought in to help disputing parties come to an amicable agreement. It could also involve arbitration, in which a third party considers the facts and decides on a legally binding solution to one or both parties.

Dispute resolution will require shrewd negotiation and communication skills.

How to specialise in an area of law practice

There are several ways you can prepare yourself for a career in your chosen area of practice.

Gain the relevant legal knowledge: during your legal studies, you will have opportunities to learn more about the areas of law you are interested in. For example, choosing modules that relate to these areas will allow you to learn the specialist knowledge you need. You could also attend webinars or events related to the legal practice areas you’re interested in and read relevant publications such as journals or law firm newsletters. This will help you ensure you’re up to date on any changes in the practice area, such as legislation.

Develop your skills: it is important to gain as much legal experience as you can while you’re studying. Experience will allow you to gain the skills you need for a legal career, whilst networking and forming connections with practising lawyers. Make sure to look for firms or chambers that specialise in the legal practice area you wish to work in. Undertaking mini-pupillages, vacation schemes or qualifying work experience in that area is a great way to hone your skills and expertise.

Finally, make sure you choose a course such as the Barrister Training Course (BTC), Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE) Preparation, or Law Conversion Course (PGDL) that is taught by experienced legal professionals. This will ensure you hit the ground running when you start your career.

Can lawyers change specialities?

Yes. Once you become a qualified solicitor or barrister, you will have many opportunities to explore different practice areas throughout your career.

You may even choose to pursue an alternative career. The experience, skills, and knowledge of lawyers are highly valued and open doors to senior positions in sectors as diverse as business, government, and charities.

Want to find out more?

There are a vast range of interesting and fulfilling areas of law you can choose to practice in once qualified. Better still, you can choose a legal discipline that mirrors your personal and professional character traits.

Study postgraduate law and get the skills, knowledge, and advice you need to access your career, whatever specialism you choose. 

Don’t miss out on the legal career made for you.

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